City of Palo Alto, CA

02/14/2018 | News release | Distributed by Public on 02/14/2018 18:32

Street Sweeping

Palo Alto streets are being swept every other week beginning February 12, 2018. Weekly sweeping will resume approximately October 22, 2018, but this date is subject to change based on observed leaf fall.

Street SweepingStreet sweeping keeps our community clean and safe by removing the dirt, metals, petroleum products, garbage and vegetation that regularly collect on our streets and paths. Removing these materials is important because they could end up in our storm drains and eventually into our creeks and the San Francisco Bay. Keeping the storm drains clear not only helps to reduce pollution, but also reduces the likelihood of flooding during heavy rain.

Service GuidelinesStreet sweepers cannot pick up large pieces or piles. To ensure a clean street:

Avoid piling leaves or other debris in the street or gutter.

Do not rake, sweep, blow leaves, or other debris in the street or gutter.

Keep palm fronds and long twigs and branches out of the street or gutter.

Pick up litter in front of your home or business.

Park your vehicles off the street on your designated sweep day.

Prune trees and shrubs so that they do not block the street sweepers from reaching the curb line.

Street Sweeping SchedulePalo Alto's residential and light commercial street sweeping schedule changes from weekly during leaf season (mid-October to mid-February) to every other week during non-leaf season. The exact date of service changes will be based on the observed leaf fall.

The University/California Avenue business areas will continue to be swept three times per week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and El Camino Real will continue to be swept weekly year-round.

Street Sweeping Map

Click to view as PDFReason for Schedule Change
A 2013 pilot project demonstrated that the City could reduce the frequency of sweeping in these areas to every-other-week during non-leaf season without adverse impacts to the public or the environment. There are environmental benefits to reducing the frequency - the City will realize a 22% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions per year, equaling approximately 37 metric tons of CO2 emissions per year. This change is also estimated to save the City approximately $649,000 annually. A monthly Refuse Fee reduction of $1.40 per customer was passed on to rate payers beginning November 1, 2014. Please refer to staff report #4892 for more details.